The Photographer's Tools: Pocket Knives

I love knives! they are one of the oldest tools ever made and remain one of the most important tools for humanity. I collect them. I also love MacGyver, he's my hero, he doesn't believe in violence, he loves and respect nature, he's a genius and he's got a knife! (usually a Victorinox Tinker).

You may not share my passion for knives but as a photographer, you may find your life much easier with one of them. You're going to need a knife to cut tapes, cut wires, cut background papers, cut gels, do emergency field repair, loosen bolts on stands, opening beer bottles, look cool while doing it, and most importantly, opening wine bottles for your models when you shoot nudes. You need lots of wine bottles when you shoot nudes.

And if you're attacked by zombies while on location, you can gaffer tape your knife to the end of your monopod and you have a spear.

There are near endless uses for them and for the photographer, I recommend ones with pliers and screwdrivers and of course, corkscrew. Below are my favorites.


Leatherman Skeletool CX















This is my favorite pocket tool, it's got everything you need when you go out shooting. It's got a screwdriver with bits for phillips and flatheads. It's got a wicked sharp but small (so it doesn't scare the paranoids) main blade, it's got an extremely useful needlenose plier, it's got a carabiner that doubles as a bottle opener, and finally it's got some serious sex appeal. I mean that thing is just extra cool-looking. The non-CX version has a plain blade and no black tungsten coating. This one lives in my camera bag. Price: 70$


Victorinox One-Handed Trekker















I love Victorinox Swiss Army Knives (SAK), they are built like tanks and are very inexpensive. I used to carry the Skeletool wherever I went but after nearly losing it, I decided I needed something cheaper and more disposable. This one has a seratted blade when bought but I didn't like it and ground it down to a plain blade. The very amaterish "sea serpent" blade motifs were done with a dremel tool. Because of the large blade, this knife is also my favorite hiking/camping knife. This knife is permanently attached to the belt-loop on my jeans with a carabiner. Price: 20$

Update: There is a plain blade version (NS) of this knife.


Victorinox SwissTool















If pocket tools were WWII tanks, this one would be the German Tiger. The SwissTool has almost all the tools that you could possible need. It's also very heavy so I keep it in my car for emergency situations. Leatherman also makes a similar tool and I believe they are the pioneer of this design but I prefer Victorinox because MacGyver used them... Price: 70$

Update: There's also a lighter, more curvy version called the Spirit.


Victorinox Camper and Wenger Soldier















THE posters children of Swiss Army Knives, these are probably what most people think when think of SAK. They have all the basic tools that you need and would probably last you a lifetime. Until recently the Soldier (all metal) was the official pocket knife for the Swedish army. It has since been replaced by a military version of the Trekker (above). Please note that the red plastic scales on all SAK are primarily there for decorative purposes. The knife itself is all-metal and perfectly functional if the scales break off. Many aficionados have replaced their plastic scales with wooden ones (which I plan to do). The Camper also have the all-important corkscrew for when you shoot nudes. Price: 15$


Victorinox Classic Alox and LED light















These permanently lives on my keychain. You'll never know when you might need a knife or a light. What else is there to say? Price: 10$

















Well I hope I convinced some of you to go out and buy one of theses and I shall end this with the Boy Scout motto:

Be Prepared!